She previously co-produced and played in Demi Dewi (For the sake of Dewi), which earned her a favorite leading actress title at the Indonesia Movie Awards 2011.

“Right now, I am busy preparing for roles in three films. The first Nine Reasons, centers on the wives of the country’s first president Sukarno, a sequel of Bukan Cinta Biasa 2 (Not An Ordinary Love 2) and Soul Fest.

My film, Dilema, will be in the style of an omnibus, where one story is told from different perspectives. It will be directed by five young directors. The five directors argue, yes, but I have asked them to unite for this movie. The film is expected to start shooting in July. Through this film, I want to give a chance for young talents to surface because I want to see a regeneration of directors in our film industry.

Busy as I am, I try to be disciplined – work only weekdays, from Monday to Friday, so I can spend weekends with my two children. I can go home anytime on weekdays since I don’t limit my working hours. But Saturday and Sunday are for my family. I may be a working woman but I am still a housewife. I have to be able to spare my time for my family.

My youngest daughter, London Abigail Dimitri, is still a little baby. She attends school every Saturday so I need to accompany her. After class, I pick her sister up to do something fun together like watch a movie, dine out, or watch DVDs or visit their grandparents.

My eldest daughter, Shaloom Syach Razade, 12, is now a teenager. She knows about good food and film. She likes going to book stores and we just follow her.

Actually, I love going to the theater to watch plays. When I was living in England, I watched many different plays since they’re part of daily life. Even the plays are performed based on their own seasons.

Back in London, I used to watch plays every weekend. Things are different here in Jakarta, so I have changed my hobby. Now I watch TV series on cable and films. I recently watched Mildred Pierce, a mini series that stars award-winning actress Kate Winslet.

But still, every time there is a performance from a leading theater troupe in Jakarta, I always try to watch it.

Shaloom likes watching plays too and she often asks me to take her along when I watch one. Usually, I tend to choose appealing and fun themes, like the musicals Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow warrior) or Onrop!

But if something comes up from work on weekends, I will bring my children to work. However, I rarely have to do this since I can simply ask my employees to handle them.

Our family also likes to travel at least once a year.

My favorite places are in Europe, especially London because it means I can visit my hometown. In Indonesia, our favorite holiday destination is Bali.

— As told to Indah Setiawati

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